Petitions for Modification

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Petitions for Modification

The following parties have filed petitions to modify the

application of mandatory safety standards under section 101(c) of the

Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

1. Wilderness Mining Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-17-C]

Wilderness Mining Company, P.O. Box 459, Lyburn, West Virginia

25632 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Alloy No. 1 Mine (I.D. No.

46-08007) located in Fayette County, West Virginia. The petitioner

requests a modification of the standard to allow the use of a methane

detector with a visible digital readout attached with a magnet to the

side of the miner ripper head while it is trammed to the face, to

conduct a methane test in intervals not to exceed 20 minutes during the

mining of each extended cut; to take a methane test at the completion

of mining each extended cut to preclude the roof bolter operator from

having to take a test prior to entering the area; to conduct a methane

test using a 20 foot extendable probe, from the second row of bolts

inby prior to any electrical equipment being operated in this working

place; to have a methane monitor with a digital readout located on

every roof bolting machine with the sensor head on the ATRS unit and

set to deenergize when the methane reading is 1.0 percent or more; and

to conduct a test for methane on the return side of all face line

curtains at the second row of bolts in areas where the faces are not

bolted when on-shift examinations are made. The petitioner states that

application of the mandatory standard would result in a diminution of

safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

2. Meadow River Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-18-C]

Meadow River Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 459, Lyburn, West

Virginia 25632 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.362(d)(2) (on-shift examination) to its Meadow River No. 1 Mine

(I.D. No. 46-03467) located in Fayette County, West Virginia. The

petitioner requests a modification of the standard to allow the use of

a methane detector with a visible digital readout attached with a

magnet to the side of the miner ripper head while it is trammed to the

face, to conduct a methane test in intervals not to exceed 20 minutes

during the mining of each extended cut; to take a methane test at the

completion of mining each extended cut to preclude the roof bolter

operator from having to take a test prior to entering the area; to

conduct a methane test using a 20 foot extendable probe from the second

row of bolts inby prior to any electrical equipment being operated in

this working place; to have a methane monitor with a digital readout

located on every roof bolting machine with the sensor head on the ATRS

unit and set to deenergize when the methane reading is 1.0 percent or

more; and to conduct a test for methane on the return side of all face

line curtains at the second row of bolts in areas where the faces are

not bolted when on-shift examinations are made. The petitioner states

that application of the mandatory standard would result in a diminution

of safety to the miners. In addition, the petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

3. C & H Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-19-C]

C & H Mining Company, HC 73, Box 168, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.342

(methane monitors) to its No. 8 Mine (I.D. No. 15-17882) located in

Knox County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use hand-held

continuous-duty methane and oxygen indicators instead of machine

mounted methane monitors on permissible three-wheel tractors. The

petitioner asserts that this petition is based on the safety of miners.

4. Becky Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-20-C]

Becky Coal Company, Inc., P.O. Box 171, Siler, Kentucky 40763 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.380(f)(4)(I)

(escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its Blue Gem Mine (I.D.

No. 15-16247) located in Whitley County, Kentucky. The petitioner

proposes to install two number five or one number ten portable chemical

fire extinguisher in the operator's deck of each Mescher tractor

operated at its mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily accessible

to the operator; and to have each fire extinguisher inspected daily by

the equipment operator prior to entering the escapeway and if any

defects are found replace the extinguisher before entering. The

petitioner asserts that this petition is based on the safety of the

miners.

5. D.J.T Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-21-C]

D.J.T Coal Company, R.D. #4, Box 358-d, Pine Grove, Pennsylvania

17963 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.901

(protection of low- and medium-voltage three-phase circuits used

underground) to its D.J.T Slope (I.D. No. 36-08454) located in

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification

of the standard to permit the use of an alternative method of

compliance for the mines existing 480 volts 3-phase ungrounded Delta

system providing power to the underground stationary electrical

equipment instead of installing steel armored or grounded rigid steel

conduit. The petitioner has outlined in this petition specific

procedures for implementing its alternative method. In addition, the

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

6. Brookside Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-22-C]

Brookside Coal Company, General Delivery, Spring Glen, Pennsylvania

17978 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405

(automatic couplers) to its Diamond Vein Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36-08456)

located in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to permit the use of bar and pin or link

and pin

[[Page 23798]]

couplers on its underground haulage equipment. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

7. E & E Fuels

[Docket No. M-97-23-C]

E & E Fuels, P.O. Box 265, Tremont, Pennsylvania 17981 has filed a

petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1405 (automatic

couplers) to its Orchard Slope Mine (I.D. No. 36-08346) located in

Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests a modification

of the standard to permit the use of bar and pin or link and pin

couplers on its underground haulage equipment. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

8. RoxCoal Incorporated

[Docket No. M-97-24-C]

RoxCoal Incorporated, P.O. Box 149, Freudians, Pennsylvania 15541

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2)

(on-shift examination) to its Diamond T B Mine (I.D. No. 36-08223); its

Diamond T C Mine (I.D. No. 36-08214); and its Longview Mine (I.D. No.

36-03248) all located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner

proposes to use a 20 foot probe to make methane tests from the last row

of permanent roof supports when the roof bolting machine enters a

working place and to conduct the required twenty minute tests for the

roof bolter. The petitioner states that application of the standard

would result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In addition, the

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

9. CONSOL of Kentucky, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-25-C]

CONSOL. of Kentucky, Inc., Consol. Plaza, 1800 Washington Road,

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15241-1421 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.1101-8 (water sprinkler systems; arrangement

of sprinklers) to its E3RF Mine (I.D. No. 15-17894) located in Knott

County, Kentucky. The petitioner proposes to use a single overhead pipe

system with \1/2\-inch orifice automatic sprinklers located on 10-foot

centers, located to cover 50 feet of fire-resistant belt or 150 feet of

non-fire resistant belt, with actuation temperatures between 200 and

230 degrees Fahrenheit, and with water pressure equal to or greater

than 10 psi; and to have the sprinklers located not more than 10 feet

apart so that the discharge of water will extend over the belt drive,

belt take-up, electrical control, and gear reducing unit. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

10. Kiah Creek Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-26-C]

Kiah Creek Mining Company, P.O. Box 1409, Pikeville, Kentucky 41502

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.364(b)(4)

(weekly examination) to its No. 14 Mine (I.D. No. 15-16501) located in

Pike County, Kentucky. Due to a roof fall in front of the No. 3 Seal,

traveling the area to physically examine the seal would be unsafe. The

petitioner proposes to check the inby and outby sides of the entry

daily to determine air quality, quantity, and the percentage of methane

on each side of the fall in the entry. The petitioner asserts that its

alternative method would provide a safe procedure without having to

clean up the fall.

11. Arclar Company

[Docket No. M-97-27-C]

Arclar Company, 29 West Raymond, P.O. Box 444, Harrisburg, Illinois

62946 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350

(air courses and belt haulage entries) to its Big Ridge Mine (I.D. No.

11-02879) located in Saline County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes

to use intake air from belt haulage entries to ventilate the active

working places. The petitioner proposes to install and maintain a

carbon monoxide monitoring system along the beltline. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the

same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

12. Maple Meadow Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-28-C]

Maple Meadow Mining Company, General Delivery, Fairdale, West

Virginia 25839 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.503 (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its Maple

Meadow Mine (I.D. No. 46-03374) located in Raleigh County, West

Virginia. The petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug

connectors on mobile battery-powered machines with a threaded ring and

a spring loaded device to prevent the plug connector from accidently

disengaging while under load. The petitioner states that application of

the standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

13. Apogee Coal Company d/b/a Arch of Illinois

[Docket No. M-97-29-C]

Apogee Coal Company d/b/a/ Arch of Illinois, P.O. Box 308, Percy,

Illinois 62272-0308 has filed a petition to modify the application of

30 CFR 75.323 (actions for excessive methane) to its Conant Mine (I.D.

No. 11-02886) located in Perry County, Illinois. Due to the layout of

the Archveyor system and its corresponding section power

system, the petitioner proposes to have the section's transformer

located in the intake air/power entry and maintained at least 300 feet

away from any type of mining (development or secondary mining/winging).

The petitioner states that the intake would feed the air to the active

working face, the gob area, and around the bleeder system. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

14. Bridger Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-30-C]

Bridger Coal Company, P.O. Box 2068, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82902

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 77.1607(n)

(loading and haulage equipment; operation) to its Bridger Mine (I.D.

No. 48-00677) located in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. The petitioner

requests a modification of the standard to allow light and medium duty

mobile equipment of 50,000 pounds MGVW or less, on which the park brake

function is a component of the transmission, to be stabilized when left

unattended: (a) with one set of double chock blocks, connected as a

single unit, placed around (in front and in back of) one tire of the

equipment; or (b) setting the brakes. The petitioner states that

whether chock blocks or brakes are used, the front wheels of the

equipment would be turned into a bank or berm if parked on a grade. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

15. Bear Ridge Mining, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-31-C]

Bear Ridge Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 255, Tazewell, Virginia 24651 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1710-1

(canopies or cabs; self-propelled electric face equipment; installation

requirements) to its No. 1

[[Page 23799]]

Mine (I.D. No. 44-06227) located in Tazewell County, Virginia. The

petitioner proposes to operate self-propelled electric face equipment

without cabs or canopies. The petitioner states that application of the

standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners.

16. Eastern Associated Coal Corporation

[Docket No. M-97-32-C]

Eastern Associated Coal Corporation, 800 Laidley Tower, 500 Lee

Street, P.O. Box 1233, Charleston, West Virginia 25324 has filed a

petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.350 (air courses and

belt haulage entries) to its Harris/Rocklick Coal Handling Facility

(I.D. No. 46-08610) located in Boone County, West Virginia. The

petitioner proposes to mine using a two-entry system with the conveyor

haulageway located in the return air course, during development of a

coal handling facility (tunnel) between two (2) existing preparation

plants; the Harris Preparation Plant, MSHA I.D. No. 46-03135, WVDEP 0-

72-82; and the Rocklick Preparation Plant, MSHA I.D. No. 46-06448. The

petitioner proposes to install a carbon monoxide monitoring system as

an early warning fire detection system in the belt entry and primary

escapeway of all two-entry developments; and to install sensors in the

belt entry and primary escapeway near the center and in the upper third

of the entry in a location where exposure to unsafe situations by

personnel working on the system would be prevented. The petitioner

asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the

same measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

17. Peabody Coal Company

[Docket No. M-97-33-C]

Peabody Coal Company, 1214 Marissa Road, Marissa, Illinois 62257

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.1002

(location of trolley wires, trolley feeder wires, high-voltage cables

and transformers) to its Marissa Mine (I.D. No. 11-02440) located in

Washington County, Illinois. The petitioner proposes to use high-

voltage trailing cables (2400-volt) inby the last open crosscut at the

sections where continuous miners are working. The petitioner asserts

that the proposed alternative method would provide at least the same

measure of protection as would the mandatory standard.

18. Tanoma Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-34-C]

Tanoma Mining Company, 1809 Chestnut Avenue, P.O. Box 25,

Barnesboro, Pennsylvania 15714 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 75.326 (now 75.350) (air courses and belt haulage

entries) to its Tanoma Mine (I.D. No. 36-06967) located in Indiana

County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner requests that paragraph 1B of

petition for modification, docket no. M-90-78-C be amended to add the

following sentence at the end of the paragraph: When pillaring, the

inby sensor is to be located at least 150 feet but no more than 160

feet from the inby end of the RFM. The petitioner asserts that the

proposed alternative method would provide at least the same measure of

protection as would the mandatory standard.

19. Birdeye Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-35-C]

Birdeye Coal Company, Inc., HC 66, Box 494, Artemus, Kentucky 40903

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.380(f)(4)(i) (escapeways; bituminous and lignite mines) to its No. 4

Mine (I.D. No. 15-17676) located in Knox County, Kentucky. The

petitioner proposes to install two number five or one number ten

portable chemical fire extinguisher in the operator's deck of each

Mescher tractor at its mine; to have the fire extinguisher readily

accessible to the operator; and to have each fire extinguisher

inspected daily by the equipment operator prior to entering the

escapeway. If any defects are found, the extinguisher will be replaced

before entering the escapeway. The petitioner asserts that this

petition is based on the safety of the miners.

20. Long Branch Energy

[Docket No. M-97-36-C]

Long Branch Energy, P.O. Box 776, Danville, West Virginia 25053 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.503(18.41)(f)

(permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its No. 22 Mine

(I.D. No. 46-08583) located in Logan County, West Virginia. The

petitioner proposes to replace a padlock on battery plug connectors on

mobile battery-powered machines with a threaded ring and a spring

loaded device to prevent the plug connector from accidently disengaging

while under load. The petitioner states that application of the

standard would result in a diminution of safety to the miners. In

addition, the petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the

mandatory standard.

21. Texas Utilities Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-37-C]

Texas Utilities Mining Company, 1601 Bryan Street, Energy Plaza,

18th Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201 has filed a petition to modify the

application of 30 CFR 77.807-3 (movement of equipment; minimum distance

from high-voltage lines) to its Beckville Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-

02632), and its Tatum Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03659) located in Panola

County, Texas; its Oak Hill Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03660) located in

Rusk County, Texas; its Winfield South Strip Mine (I.D. No. 41-03658),

and its Winfield North Strip (I.D. No. 41-01900) located in Titus

County, Texas. The petitioner requests a modification of the standards

to permit various pieces of equipment to pass under or by the overhead

high voltage power lines (25,000 volts) used in TUMCO's electric

railway/catenary system (the ``Electrified Railroad'') with a minimum

of three feet of clearance between the equipment and the power line.

The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would

provide at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

22. Lion Mining Company

[Docket No. M-97-38-C]

Lion Mining Company, P.O. Box 209, Jennerstown, Pennsylvania 15547

has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 75.362(d)(2)

(on-shift examination) to its Grove No. 1 Mine (I.D. No. 36-02398)

located in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The petitioner proposes to

use a 20-foot probe to make methane tests from the last row of

permanent roof supports when the roof bolting machine enters a working

place and to conduct the required twenty minute tests for the roof

bolter. The petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method

would provide at least the same measure of protection as would the

mandatory standard.

23. Spruce Fork Coal Company, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-39-C]

Spruce Fork Coal Company, Inc., Route 6, Box 543, Buckhannon, West

Virginia 26201 has filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR

75.503(b)(2) (permissible electric face equipment; maintenance) to its

Spruce Fork Mine No. 1 (I.D. No. 46-08622) located in Upshur County,

West Virginia. The petitioner proposes to use a spring loaded locking

device, instead of padlocks to secure battery plugs to

[[Page 23800]]

machine mounted receptacles, that would prevent the threaded lock ring

on a plug from turning and becoming loose unintentionally. The

petitioner asserts that the proposed alternative method would provide

at least the same measure of protection as would the mandatory

standard.

24. Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc.

[Docket No. M-97-02-M]

Barrick Goldstrike Mines, Inc., P.O. Box 29, Elko, Nevada 89803 has

filed a petition to modify the application of 30 CFR 56.6309(b) (fuel

oil requirements for ANFO) to its Barrick Goldstrike Mine (I.D. No. 26-

01089) located in Elko County, Nevada. The petitioner requests a

modification of the standard to allow the use of used crankcase oil

blended with diesel fuel to prepare ammonium nitrate/fuel oil (ANFO)

for blasting. The petitioner has listed in this petition specific

details for using crankcase oil, and steps that would be taken to

ensure the continued health and safety of the miners.

Request for Comments

Persons interested in these petitions may furnish written comments.

These comments must be filed with the Office of Standards, Regulations,

and Variances, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Room 627, 4015

Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22203. All comments must be

postmarked or received in that office on or before June 2, 1997. Copies

of these petitions are available for inspection at that address.

Dated: April 24, 1997.

Patricia W. Silvey,

Director, Office of Standards, Regulations, and Variances.

[FR Doc. 97-11342 Filed 4-30-97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-43-P